2-car Accident Sends 9 To Hospitals

Nine people, including five children, were injured Saturday morning in a two-car accident on Kirkman Road in west Orange County.

Paramedics worked on the victims for more than an hour, forcing southbound traffic on the road into one lane near the accident.

According to the Orlando police accident report, a 1982 Dodge station wagon driven by Julia Bermudez of Orlando was making a left turn into the MetroWest subdivision about 10:15 a.m. Bermudez did not yield the right of way, police said, and was hit by a 1979 Datsun driven by Bernadette Cote of Orlando. Cote was driving south on Kirkmam.

Eight victims were in the station wagon. Besides Bermudez and Cote the other victims were: Kareena Bermudez, 12; Ivan Bermudez, 7; Efrian Bermudez, 9; and Carmen Coutrias, 47, all of Orlando; and Carmen Boderom, 32; Catherin Jimenez, 6; and Jonhass Jiminez, 4, all of North Miami Beach.

Two children and their mother were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center-Sand Lake, while the others were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando.

A nursing supervisor at ORMC-Sand Lake said Catherin Jimenez was admitted in fair condition with unknown injuries. Her brother, Jonhass, and Carmen Boderom were treated.

Coutrias was in critical condition at ORMC, a spokeswoman said. Efrian and Ivan Bermudez were in stable condition, and Kareena Bermudez was treated.

A nursing supervisor said two victims were admitted to the downtown ORMC. One of those was identified only as an adult female in serious condition.

The other victim, a child whose age was unknown, was in stable condition.

The other victims were still being treated in the emergency room and had not been admitted late Saturday.

No charges have been filed in the accident. An investigation is continuing.